Loving our Neighbors

Jim and Debbie Strietelmeier are Moody Bible Institute Graduates who have ministered among the poor throughout their lives. They have four biological children, two adopted children, two foster children they expect to adopt soon, and big hearts. Jim does most of the writing for the blog but sees that ministry is something that this couple does together. Jim and Debbie along with their family, have ministered with Neighborhood Fellowship church since 1996, and are vitally involved in working within their neighborhood to show the love of Christ. They live in the neighborhood they work in, caring for the poor on the near east side of Indianapolis. They are committed to ministering to individuals’ souls, minds and bodies. Some of the ways this is carried out practically is through the work of discipleship in worship and teaching, a free medical clinic, the Neighborhood Academy, Mother’s Club, job training, hunger relief, and crisis intervention. They minister with friends and family who are also well equipped for this ministry. Neighbors can come to Neighborhood Fellowship and receive the love of God in lots of forms. If those neighbors don’t come, it is alright. Jim and Debbie and their church know how to to out and help their neighbors.

From Jim’s own pen, he writes: “We are Christians who choose to identify with the poor. Our church is poor and most of our friends are poor. If we have extra we share. Debbie says that there is not enough money in the city to keep us from being poor. Where we minister, poverty comes naturally.”